Fair Farms FAQ

If you are interested in partnering with us on outreach, research, or events, please send an email here and someone will reach out soon to talk about your specific interests and our current opportunities. We really look forward to connecting with you.

When you talk about “sustainable,” what exactly do you mean?

Sustainability is a term that gets used a lot. It’s almost a “buzz word.” We’ve looked at some of the best definitions we’ve seen out there of sustainability and pulled from them some elements that speak to us. Click here to read our take on sustainability.

Like farming itself, we consider this definition evolving. We’re always curious to hear what our friends think, so please get in touch with your thoughts.

I like this campaign and support what you’re doing, but is this realistic?

It’s true: we are idealists, and proud of it. We believe transformation is possible, and it starts one person at a time. While some of our long-term goals are ambitious, we see the winds of change around us all the time. Together, we can build a movement of like-minded consumers who are willing to stay educated, vote with our forks, and engage our elected officials in working to address problematic farming practices, support sustainable farming practices, and contribute to the good food movement here in our communities.

Are you saying all large farms are bad?

No. We know every farm is different and every farmer’s relationship with the land is different. What’s possible for one farm isn’t necessarily within reach for another. Some mega farms go above and beyond in implementing best practices to protect the environment. Some small farms cut corners.

We agree with Farm Aid, which calls family farmers who work the land “the most resourceful, heroic Americans.” That said, it’s clear the system is out of balance and skewed to support mega farms at the expense of the small family farm that has become an endangered species. We’re concerned about some elements of industrial-scale farming—growth hormones and overuse of antibiotics, pesticides that may harm people and pollinators and other wildlife, animals in overly stressed conditions, manure pollution, and especially corporate consolidation over all aspects of the food system at the expense of the consumer, the farm workers, and the farmers themselves.

Organic food and food produced without chemicals is just too expensive for most people. Don’t you realize that?

We strongly agree that healthy, natural food shouldn’t be out of reach for so many. It’s just not fair. Nor should taxpayers have to subsidize the very few companies who control billion-dollar food industries only to spend double the amount from our own wallets to eat organically grown food. This has to change.

Most of the farmers associated with this campaign are smaller-scale. What are you doing to engage large farms?

Fair Farms is reaching out to farmers across the spectrum, and we love to start a dialogue even with those who don’t share our perspective. We don’t know everything, and we are in this to learn and grow and make change. No matter who we talk to, we always agree on our love for the land, for our communities, and for the treasure that is the Chesapeake Bay. It’s the perfect starting point for common ground.

What are the long-term goals for this campaign?

To change the world, of course!

We seek greater transparency from our elected officials and big food producers, real limits on harmful pollution, an end to practices that compromise public health, and a fairer system that helps farmers be sustainable, benefits families, and restores our lands and waters.

How does the campaign choose its priorities?

Our core Steering Committee is responsible for determining the strategic direction and tactics of the campaign, and we rely on the input, wisdom, and guidance of our endorsing partners and Farmer Advisory Council regarding our strategies and tactics. We’re glad to hear from you, as well, so drop us a line.

Can we become an endorsing partner?

Fair Farms seeks to partner with organizations and businesses that work on water quality, consumer advocacy, food access, farm worker rights, subsidy reform, public health, environmental stewardship, and much more. We would love to hear from you!